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literacy

·December 14, 2024·6 min read

Reading Strengthens Key Brain Regions for Language and Empathy

New research reveals that brain structure varies with reading ability, particularly in the left hemisphere. Better readers have distinct traits, including a larger anterior temporal lobe for integrating word meaning and a thicker left Heschl’s gyrus for phonological processing.

This shows a baby with a book that it's mother is holding.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 29, 2024·5 min read

Shared Reading Boosts Early Brain Development

A new study encourages parents to read aloud with newborns and young children to strengthen relationships and promote brain development. Shared reading supports language, literacy, and social-emotional growth, laying the foundation for school readiness.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 18, 2024·5 min read

Training Enhances Word Recognition for Efficient Reading

Researchers developed a training method that enhances the recognition of known versus unknown words, thereby improving reading efficiency. Their study employs a model based on brain behavior that functions like a filter, distinguishing known words from unfamiliar letter combinations.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·March 6, 2024·5 min read

Unexpected Literacy Skills in Nonverbal Autism

Nonspeaking autistic individuals may possess undervalued literacy skills, suggesting the potential for written communication as an expressive alternative. By adapting an innovative method akin to Whac-a-Mole, the research team demonstrated that a significant portion of the study's nonspeaking autistic participants could predict letter sequences in sentences, indicating a foundational understanding of written language.

This shows a young girl and boy reading books.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 6, 2023·7 min read

Gender Gaps in Reading

A study indicates significant gender differences in letter-sound knowledge in Norway, with girls showing superior skills. However, such a gap is absent in Iceland, where early focus on letters and sounds, rather than whole words, sees both genders equally competent.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 27, 2023·4 min read

Poor Literacy Linked to Worse Mental Health Worldwide

Poor literacy skills or being illiterate is associated with an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression, researchers say. Additionally, poor literacy is also linked to increased feelings of loneliness.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 18, 2022·4 min read

Literacy Influences Understanding of Speech

The writing system with which we learn to read may influence how we process speech, researchers report. Findings suggest the ability to write influences the way in which our brains process language.

This shows a child's pink gaming controller

Featured Neuroscience

·January 17, 2022·5 min read

Improving Reading Skills Through Action Video Games

A new study reveals a child's reading skills can be developed with the help of a newly designed child-friendly action video game.

This shows a little boy reading a book, surrounded by math symbols, sums and words associated with math

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·March 11, 2021·6 min read

Reading Skills Affect Everything, Even Math

Researchers have identified a connectivity fingerprint that suggests the brain's reading network works across different cognitive domains, even mathematical skills.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·February 4, 2021·5 min read

New Book Helps Identify Risks of Reading Difficulties

A new book helps researchers screen for potential reading difficulties in young children.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 4, 2020·6 min read

Understanding the developing brain for reading

A structural brain scaffold in infants serves as a foundation for literacy. Language and reading may refine this pre-existing brain scaffold. The study also reveals robust language networks activate while children sleep if stories are read to them during slumber.

$This shows a little girl wearing glasses$